Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye
MEMORIZE: “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Ps. 8:4).
READ: Psalm 8:4-5
Colossians 1:27 says “…Christ in you the hope of glory”. It did not say the presence of Christ in your life gives you the assurance of glory. In other words, it is possible to have all of God’s gifts and still not end gloriously. Spiritual gifts without good character traits will only lead to shame. A woman who is gifted and beautiful but is lacking in character may most likely turn out to be a whore. Similarly, a man who is powerful, intelligent and highly gifted but is lacking character may end up in prison. If you doubt this, ask Samson. He was gifted and had tremendous power but became a prisoner to his captors and died blind, in his prime. If you are gifted but lacking in character, it will be difficult for you to produce glory, but very easy to produce shame.
Take for instance, Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Before the fall, they were both naked but did not even notice it because God crowned them with glory and honour (Gen. 2:25). When God covers you with His glory, there will be no room for shame. No wonder the Psalmist wondered why God was paying so much attention to man (Ps. 8:45). Before man’s sinful career, Adam wore Heaven’s designer wear – glory. Adam knew true abundance. Imagine, God planted a garden which according to Bible scholars, is about the size of Lagos State (Nigeria) and he was put in charge. He could eat any of its fruits except one. Adam lived in that first earthly paradise and had tremendous rest. He also had so much strength. He could work without getting tired. Besides, he had tremendous wisdom. When God brought the various animals to him during this most remarkable naming ceremony in the Garden, his wisdom was unparalleled! He named them one after the other without repeating himself. His brain surpassed that of any professor of Zoology. When you are clothed in God’s glory, you can access uncommon wisdom that will make you to stand out. Do you know that even today, there are people who are carrying this glory who are being instructed by the unction of the Spirit (1 Jn. 2:20, 27)? What is more important to you – the gifts of the Holy Spirit or the fruit of the Holy Spirit? Ask for the grace to develop your Christian character through the fruit of the Spirit in you.
PRAYER POINT
Father, fill me with the Holy Spirit and help me develop the fruit of the Spirit in my life.
Bible in One year: Exod. 38-40
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